Dear Fellow Residents-

 MPF is grateful to our many members for your continued support. We rely on your donations to carry out Mary Emery's dream and to present the annual Taste of Mariemont to the Village.

We have a number of things to celebrate this year. First, MPF is marking its 30th year.  In December  1980 the group formed with the stated purpose: “To receive and maintain funds to be used for public benefit to maintain and enhance the historic integrity of the Village, to avoid urban decay and beautify the Village, and to preserve and improve parks, playgrounds and public areas. Such activities are for the ultimate purpose of enriching the lives of citizens of Mariemont.”

At the time, the original Board of Trustees included Clarence Erickson, Jim Cunningham, Alison Rink, Paul Prevey, Hope Kain, Caroline Schwenkmeyer and Warren Harding. Ed Steinau and Millard Rogers were appointed as Trustees in 1981. Mr. Rogers is still an active Board member today.  Look for several special recognitions throughout 2010 as we continue to carry out the Board's original mission.

Second, we continue to make progress on our Vision Plan 2021. The Vision Plan committee will soon be holding several community meetings to gauge resident input. To date, the committee has met with 15 organizations and collected feedback from approximately 130 surveys.

Third, we are pleased to recognize residents Wes Iredale and Connie Hamlin for volunteering to organize our archives. Thank you both for your time and energy.  Call 272-1166 if you are interested in MPF volunteer opportunities.

Fourth, we are excited to be launching MPF's historic plaque program in 2010. The first plaques will identify five housing groups in the village: The Short Group, The Elzner & Anderson Group, The McGoodwin Group, The Atterberry Group, and the Howe & Manning Group.

This is my last report as President of the Board. I look forward to passing the reins to Frank Raeon this March. It is has been a pleasure to serve and I look forward to supporting MPF and its mission in the years to come.  

 Sincerely,

David Zack

President, MPF Board of Trustees

To foster within the community an appreciation for the unique qualities of the Village.

• Increase MPF membership to 400.
• Grow the MPF endowment fund to $1,000,000
• Continue to provide in-school and other docent-guided programs.
• Maintain strong relations with Village administration.
• Maintain strong relations with the Thomas J. Emery Memorial.
• Communicate to the people of the Village the accomplishments and mission of MPF

To assure the continuity of the principles of town planning.

• Adhere to the ideals presented in John Nolen's "Master Plan" for Mariemont when addressing contemporary issues regarding town planning
• Support efforts to protect the status of Wooster Pike, encourage rerouting of US 50 traffic, and support Lunken Airport flight pattern controls, and monitor development of the "Eastern Corridor"

To collect and preserve historic archive and artifacts, and protect historic properties.

• Promote the maintenance/restoration of all historic properties in the Village of Mariemont 
   --- work for acquisition of the Ferris House.
   --- continue to advocate the preservation of Resthaven Barn and the Boathouse

• Collect historic artifacts and records as outlined in MPF's "Collections Policy".
   --- conduct interviews to record and preserve oral histories related to the Village of Mariemont.
   --- secure Madisonville Site artifacts and chronicles from private and institutional collections.

• Digitally archive artifacts and records to develop interactive and archival displays.

To perpetuate the dream of Mariemont's founder, Mary Emery, of the Village as a special place for family life.

• Support Village floral planting/landscaping activities.
• Develop historic trails as well as assure proper maintenance of the pioneer cemetery
• Promote and encourage MPF membership and participation by all age groups

  Key Accomplishments and Activities

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Officers

President:  David Zack
Vice President:  Frank Raeon
Secretary:  Claire Kupferle
Treasurer:  Scot Feldmeyer
Asst. Treasurer:  Don Keyes

Trustees

Mayor, Ex-Officio:  Dan Policastro
Executive Secretary & Archivist:  Janet Setchell
Archival Assistant:  Laura Karnes

Preservation of the Past, Guidance for the Present, and Design for the Future

In 1980, a handful of residents of the Village of Mariemont joined together to create the Mariemont Preservation Foundation. The organization was incorporated in December of 1980 with the stated purpose being, "To receive and maintain funds to be used for public benefit to maintain and enhance the historic integrity of the Village, to avoid urban decay and beautify the Village, and to preserve and improve parks, playgrounds and public area. Such activities are for the ultimate purpose of enriching the lives of citizens of Mariemont."

The original Board of Trustees consisted of Clarence Erickson (the mayor at that time), Jim Cunningham, Alison Rink, Paul Prevey, Hope Kain, Caroline Schwenkmeyer, Ed Steinau, Warren Harding, and Millard Rogers. Twenty-five years later, Mr. Erickson and Mr. Rogers are still active Board members.

The first undertaking of the fledgling organization was to develop a landscape plan for the Village Square. As of June 1981, the group had $972.94 in the Treasury and met in the Council Chambers. The following year, MPF drafted a Master Plan for the Village, installed two antique lamps in front of the Municipal Building, planted trees in the Village Square, presented photos of the early Village taken by Nancy Ford Cones, and began a street lamp preservation project with financial support from the Emery Memorial.

As time went on, the group took on a wider range of activities. MPF was instrumental in pushing for a ban on digging at the Madisonville Site, an area with great archaeological significance. They also began to collect materials relating to the history of the Village, and in 1985, MPF moved to the Dale Park School (currently the Junior High). There was some storage space for the burgeoning Archives, as well as space to meet and conduct business. However, as the organization continued to expand, more space was needed, and in 1989, MPF renovated the old CG&E transformer building as their permanent headquarters.

Today, MPF has expanded its mission statement to encompass a variety of activities, as follows:

"To foster within the community an appreciation of the unique qualities of the Village. To assure the continuity of the principles of town planning. To collect and preserve historic archives and artifacts, and to protect historic properties. To perpetuate the dream of Mariemont's founder, Mary Emery, of the Village as a special place for family life."

The volunteers who make up MPF's Board of Trustees are active in many areas of Village life. Some of the activities include:

• Sponsorship of Taste of Mariemont as a gift to Village residents
• Tours and presentations for area grade school children
• Grant writing to secure funds for preservation of historic buildings
• Bringing in speakers for a Spring Brunch
• Pursuing National Landmark Status for the Village

If you would like to become more involved in the Mariemont Preservation Foundation, we have several areas where we need help:

• Archives (work under the supervision of our Archivist)
• Events (The annual Taste of Mariemont)
• Mariemont Directory (published biennially)
• Docent Program (train as a tour guide or presenter)
• Grant writing (seeking major funding)
• Website (programming, design and maintenance)

Please contact MPF about membership/volunteer opportunities:      

Email: jsetchell@mariemontpreservation.org
Tel:  513-272-1166

3919 Plainville Road
Cincinnati, OH 45227